Attorney Terry Gilbert comments on police-chase indictments

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Noted area civil rights attorney Terry Gilbert said Friday that the indictments handed down in the Cleveland police-chase case are a big step toward holding police accountable for their actions.

Gilbert said this is the first time in his 30 years of handling alleged misconduct cases against police and other civil rights actions that an officer has been indicted for the shooting death of a civilian.

"The grand jury should get some credit for taking a stand in this case," Gilbert said.

He also credited the panel for the indictment of police supervisors, who he said let the Nov. 29, 2012 police chase "get out of hand."

He said the misconduct of the supervisors led to the deaths of two unarmed people.

The grand jury indicted Patrolman Michael Brelo on two counts of manslaughter for the deaths of Malissa Williams and Timothy Russell. An investigation has determined that Brelo fired 49 times at the car that Williams and Russell were in. He was one of 13 officers who shot at the car after the 23-minute chase came to a halt near an East Cleveland school. The panel also charged five police supervisors for dereliction of duty.